Touring Belgium

Belgium, in the heart of Europe, is this year's Memphis in May honored country.

Memphis in May salutes Belgium, "the essence of Europe," in 2011.

The Memphis in May delegation gathered in Brussels, Belgium on Sunday, March 27. Upon their arrival at their hotel, the group was greeted by Enis, one of their guides for their eight day cultural tour.

This formal garden in Brussels, known as the Place du Petit Sablon, was laid out in 1890. The centerpiece is a fountain that commemorates Count Edmont and Count Hornes, and there are 12 statues of 15th and 16th century figures, such as the Renaissance artist Bernard van Orley.

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A La Becasse, a traditional pub that opened in 1877, is probably the oldest one in downtown Brussels.

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The interior of A la Becasse allows visitors a glimpse at what a traditional pub in Brussels was like more than 100 years ago. Waiters dress in traditional monastic-style costumes and serve a local speciality, zoete lambik (Sweet Lambic), in ceramic pitchers.

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This tiny statue if a little boy, known as Manneken-Pis, has become a symbol of Brussels. During the Memphis in May delegation's visit to Belgium, the statue was dressed in a copy of the costume that Elvis wore in "Aloha from Hawaii." The ensemble is only worn on Aug. 16, to honor the day Elvis died, but special permission was granted to dress him for the benefit of the visiting guests from Memphis.

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The iconic statue of Brussels, Manneken-Pis, has quite a collection of costumes to commemorate occasions throughout the year.

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Egmont Palace is a facility that is at the center of diplomatic activity in Brussels. The palace serves as a meeting place for governmental meetings and conferences.

Vendors sell Belgian waffles from food trucks on city streets the same way ice cream trucks make their rounds through neighborhoods in Memphis.

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Belgian waffles are similar to those served in America, but slightly larger, with deeper squares, or pockets. The big difference is how they are served.

In the evenings, patrons enjoy dining alfresco at the sidewalk cafes in Brussels.

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The Curtius Museum in Liege brings together the contents of several museums to create one of Europe’s best centers for the decorative arts. The building itself was built in the late 16th century, in the Renaissance style.

Napoleon Bonaparte made official visits in Liege in 1803 and 1811. At that time, he gathered pieces of furniture, porcelain, weapons, jewelry and other items and made them available to the city. In this portrait of Napoleon, the city of Liege can be seen through the window in the painting.

This architectural fragment is one of many treasures showcased in the decorative arts collection at the Curtius Museum in Liege.

This cross is one of the many religious treasures housed in the Grand Curtius Museum in Liege.

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This religious relic, on display at the Curtius Museum, is said to contain wood from the crucifixion cross of Jesus Christ. Look at the center of relic to see the cross formed by four small pieces of wood.

Members of the Memphis in May delegation made a day trip to Antwerp. This picturesque 16 th century style of architecture is prevalent throughout the city.

Tourists board boats like this for a tour of the Port of Antwerp.

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In Belgium, chocolate shops can be found in almost every major shopping venue and town center, sometimes two or three in the same block. And most will offer one sample for free, just to seal the deal.

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The Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedral) in Antwerp is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that was begun in 1352.

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The Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedral) in Antwerp houses several magnificent altarpieces by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, like this triptych titled "The Elevation of the Cross."

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The Belfort (Belfry) of Ghent has one of the most impressive towers in Belgium. Its construction was started in 1313 and the Belfort served as an important warning system. In case of fire or attack, the tower keepers sent out a warning by chiming the bells. Visitors are able to climb to the top for a bird's-eye view of the city.

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The present site of St. Bavo's Cathedral, in Ghent, is on the site where a wooden church was constructed in 942 and dedicated to St. John.

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In the 19th century, the city of Ghent became a major industrial center. The pollution coated the city's antique buildings with layers of grim. As a result, in the 1980s, Ghent initiated a restoration program. Visitors today can clearly see the intricately carved stonework of its churches and buildings.

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The intricately-carved marble and oak pulpit by Laurent Delvaux (c. 1745) is no longer in use, but the allegorically-themed design still draws crowds of onlookers daily.

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The huge Romanesque crypt, beneath St. Bavo's Cathedral, includes remains from the 12th century Church of St. John. The chapels have painted altarpieces and glass cases display a wealth of religious treasures.

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In the Romanesque crypt of St. Bavo's cathedral, faded frescoes can be seen on many of the arches.

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The historic market square of Bruges is lined with centuries-old, step-gabled houses that flank the market space. A market has been held on this site since the 10th century and continues weekly, every Wednesday.

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Bruges originated as a 9th century fortress. The city is often called "The Venice of the North" due to its picturesque canals that wind their way throughout the center of the city.

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Medieval buildings flank the canals of Bruges.

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In Bruges, many homes flanking the canals have small patios with small container gardens and potted flowers.

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Meandering canals wind their way throughout the city of Bruges.

In Bruges, the St. John's Hospital, purported to be one of the oldest in Europe, was closed as a hospital in 1976 and now houses the Memling Museum. Visitors can view great works of art, as well as tour the old hospital infirmary and pharmacy to get a feel for what life was like in a medieval hospital ward.

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Lace Makers, mostly women, still craft lace by hand. Visitors can watch them as they work at the Lace Museum in Bruges.

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Lacemaking skills are kept alive at the Kantcentrum, the Lace Center, where lace workers have plied their trade for centuries. For the bobbin lace technique, lace makers use patterns to make intricate designs using threads attached to bobbins that are woven around pins embedded in the pattern.

Lace has always been a luxury product, owing to its hand-made, labor-intensive process. For the bobbin lace technique lace makers use patterns, like this one showing a horse design, to make intricate designs using threads attached to bobbins that are woven around pins embedded in the pattern.

The lace border of this placemat was made using the traditional bobbin-lace technique. When in use, the small wooden bobbins (laying on the placemat) each have a piece of thread wound around them. For all of its intricate appearance, lace is made by using only two different movements to manipulate the bobbins; the twist and the cross.

In addition to bobbin lace, needle lace is also made in Bruges. This lace maker holds up one of her finished designs.

Shop owner Anja Ingelbrecht, a fourth-generation lace maker, demonstrates the bobbin lace technique. In the past, many of the lace makers were women who worked at home, receiving raw materials from suppliers who also bought the finished products.

Belgium makes more beers than any other country in the world (almost 800 different ones) and the "Beer Wall" in Bruges displays them all.

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The city of Bruges originated as a 9th century fortress built to defend against the Vikings. While walking the cobblestone lanes of the city, the MIM delegation noticed several medieval houses, offering an architectural contrast to the elegant 18th century mansions prevalent in the city.

The 2011 Memphis in May International Festival poster honoring Belgium is 'Lovely Belgium" by Tim Crowder.